20gal Stocking Build

In it right now is:
1 male betta
4 albino cory cats (soon to be 6)
1 mystery snail (soon to be 2)

I was at first happy with how it is, everyone gets along very well! But, my boyfriend says he'd love some more color and I couldn't agree more! Its bare in the middle.

I told him to pick out fish he likes and he sent me a few, I was wondering which ones would work and how many of them we could have.

-Gourami (I know they're agressive but I've seen people do this sucessfully, Im wondering if its a good idea if I'm prepared to separate them?)
-Discus
-Cherry barb
-Black molly
-Black skirt tetra
-Swordtails

Gourami is iffy, but maybe a Dwarf would be okay.
Discus get too big for a 20 and should be in groups.
Cherry barb is a maybe, though it'd need to be at least 6.
Mollys, skirted tetras and Swordtails will probably be attacked as they get about the size of the Betta and would be seen as competition. Beware of anything long finned as a Betta will view it as a rival to his own pretty fins.
But when it comes to Betta tankmates, it all depends on whether or not the Betta will allow it. Some being more aggressive than others. I have neon tetras in with my Betta in a 20 gallon with no problems.

Gourami is iffy, but maybe a Dwarf would be okay.
Discus get too big for a 20 and should be in groups.
Cherry barb is a maybe, though it'd need to be at least 6.
Mollys, skirted tetras and Swordtails will probably be attacked as they get about the size of the Betta and would be seen as competition. Beware of anything long finned as a Betta will view it as a rival to his own pretty fins.
But when it comes to Betta tankmates, it all depends on whether or not the Betta will allow it. Some being more aggressive than others. I have neon tetras in with my Betta in a 20 gallon with no problems.

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Oh yeah I did forget to mention nu betta's temperment! He's never nipped at the fish he's been housed with but they werent too flashy either. I had him with harlequin rasboras once and he didnt mind them.

After more reading, I'm not sure I even wantto risk it with the gourami.

You're asking if the Betta wasn't a factor if the other fish would get along? If I read that right.
Potentially. Sometimes Skirted Tetras get nipped at due to being slow moving with long fins. Swordtails and Mollies are fine together along with corys and snails.

You're asking if the Betta wasn't a factor if the other fish would get along? If I read that right.
Potentially. Sometimes Skirted Tetras get nipped at due to being slow moving with long fins. Swordtails and Mollies are fine together along with corys and snails.

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Oh yes! Also like tank size and temperature.

So I read that skirted tetras would nip so I'm not sure about them with my betta. I also read mollys can be kept on their own so I might just get one and get another schooling fish.

If I wanted to keep 1 or 2 of these species, what would you suggest?

We're also considering neon tetras, but he said the ones listed were his favorites! But I like them

With a betta you don't have many options. Tbh I wouldn't recommend any of those species with a betta in the tank. My skirts SHREDDED my betta's fins the moment he was added I would do neon tetras or replace the betta with some of the species listed above (Exept discus..... they get too large)

With a betta you don't have many options. Tbh I wouldn't recommend any of those species with a betta in the tank. My skirts SHREDDED my betta's fins the moment he was added I would do neon tetras or replace the betta with some of the species listed above (Exept discus..... they get too large)

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Is is because the betta will attack them or they will hurt the betta?

My betta Percy is very docile, but I'm also prepared to separate fish if needed.

I know now most of the ones listed won't work besides the cherry barbs, mollies or sword tails.

I'd do cardinal tetras instead of neons (they look almost identical Cardinals have a bit more red), they are more temp compatible with bettas. You may also want to consider harlequin rasbora, they are readily available and are super peaceful.

Platies, swordtails, mollies can all be bullies towards a betta, it will depend on the temperament of the fish.

Do not do gourami, they are in the same family as bettas and will fight with a betta (potentially to the death). As has already been mentioned, do not do discus they are a very difficult species to keep (you need to have live food cultures and if you get juvenilles you need to change the water every day) they are a very advanced fish.

I'd do cardinal tetras instead of neons (they look almost identical Cardinals have a bit more red), they are more temp compatible with bettas. You may also want to consider harlequin rasbora, they are readily available and are super peaceful.

Platies, swordtails, mollies can all be bullies towards a betta, it will depend on the temperament of the fish.

Do not do gourami, they are in the same family as bettas and will fight with a betta (potentially to the death). As has already been mentioned, do not do discus they are a very difficult species to keep (you need to have live food cultures and if you get juvenilles you need to change the water every day) they are a very advanced fish.